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Coordination of metal ions by the tetrapyrrolic macrocyclic ring of porphyrin-based photosensitizers (PSs) affects their photophysical properties and consequently, their photodynamic activity. Diamagnetic metals increase the singlet oxygen quantum yield while paramagnetic metals have the opposite effect. Since singlet oxygen is considered the main cell-damaging species in photodynamic therapy (PDT), the nature of the chelated cation would directly affect PDT efficacy. This expectation, however, is not always supported by experimental results and numerous exceptions have been reported. Understanding the effect of the chelated metal is hindered because different chelators were used. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of the nature of chelated cation on the photophysical and photodynamic properties of metalloporphyrins, using the same tetrapyrrole core as a chelator of Ag(II), Cu(II), Fe(III), In(III), Mn(III), or Zn(II). Results demonstrated that with the exception of Ag(II), all paramagnetic metalloporphyrins were inefficient as generators of singlet oxygen and did not act as PSs. In contrast, the coordination of diamagnetic ions produced highly efficient PSs. The unexpected photodynamic activity of the Ag(II)-containing porphyrin was attributed to reduction of the chelated Ag(II) to Ag(I) or to demetallation of the complex, caused by cellular reductants and/or by exposure to light. Our results indicate that in biological systems, where PSs localize to various organelles and are subjected to the action of enzymes, reactive metabolites, and reducing or oxidizing agents, their physicochemical and photosensitizing properties change. Consequently, the photophysical properties alone cannot predict the anticancer efficacy of a PS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate how modifications at the periphery of the porphyrin ring affect the anticancer activity of Mn porphyrins (MnPs)-based SOD mimics. Six compounds: MnTE-2-PyP with a short ethyl chain on the pyridyl ring; MnTnHexOE-2-PyP and MnTnOct-2-PyP with linear 8-atom alkyl chains, but the former with an oxygen atom within the alkyl chain; MnTE-2-PyPhP and MnTPhE-2-PyP with pyridyl and phenyl substituents, were investigated. Cytotoxicity was studied using pII and MDA-MB-231 cancer cell lines. Viability was assessed by the MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay and cell proliferation was determined by the sulforhodamine B assay. Cellular uptake was increased with the increase of the lipophilicity of the compounds, whereas reduction potential (E½) of the Mn(III)/Mn(II) redox couple shifted away from the optimal value for efficient redox cycling with ascorbate, necessary for ROS production. Amphiphilic MnPs, however, exerted anticancer activity by a mechanism not involving ROS. Two different processes account for MnPs cytotoxicity. MnPs with appropriate E½ act via a ROS-dependent mechanism. Amphiphilic MnPs with suitable structure damage sensitive cellular constituents, leading to the suppression of proliferation and loss of viability. Design of compounds interacting directly with sensitive cellular targets is highly promising in the development of anticancer drugs with high selectivity and specificity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the ability to easily accept and donate electrons Mn(III) N-alkylpyridylporphyrins (MnPs) can dismute O2 ·−, reduce peroxynitrite, but also generate reactive species and behave as pro-oxidants if conditions favour such action. Herein two ortho isomers, MnTE-2-PyP5++, MnTnHex-2-PyP5++, and a meta isomer MnTnHex-3-PyP5++, which differ greatly with regard to their metal-centered reduction potential, E1/2 (MnIIIP/MnIIP) and lipophilicity, were explored. Employing MnIIIP/MnIIP redox system for coupling with ascorbate, these MnPs catalyze ascorbate oxidation and thus peroxide production. Consequently, cancer oxidative burden may be enhanced, which in turn would suppress its growth. Cytotoxic effects on Caco-2, Hela, 4T1, HCT116 and SUM149 were studied. When combined with ascorbate, MnPs killed cancer cells via peroxide produced outside of the cell. MnTE-2-PyP5++ was the most efficacious catalyst for peroxide production, while MnTnHex-3-PyP5++ is most prone to oxidative degradation with H2 , and thus the least efficacious. A 4T1 breast cancer mouse study of limited scope and success was conducted. The tumour oxidative stress was enhanced and its microvessel density reduced when mice were treated either with ascorbate or MnP/ascorbate; the trend towards tumour growth suppression was detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the cell Mn porphyrins (MnPs) likely couple with cellular reductants which results in a drop of total charge from 5+ to 4+ and dramatically increases their lipophilicity by up to three orders of magnitude depending upon the length of alkylpyridyl chains and type of isomer. The effects result from the interplay of solvation, lipophilicit and stericity. Impact of ascorbate on accumulation of MnPs was measured in E. coli and in Balb/C mouse tumours and muscle; for the latter measurements, the LC/ESI-MS/MS method was developed. Accumulation was significantly enhanced when MnPs were co-administered with ascorbate in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems. Further, MnTnHex-2-PyP5+ accumulates 5-fold more in the tumour than in a muscle. Such data increase our understanding of MnPs cellular and sub-cellular accumulation and remarkable in vivo effects. The work is in progress to understand how coupling of MnPs with ascorbate affects their mechanism of action, in particular with respect to cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work addresses the role of two ortho-substituted Mn(III) N-alkylpyridylporphyrins, alkyl being ethyl in MnTE-2-PyP5+ and n-hexyl in MnTnHex-2-PyP5+, on the protection against the oxidant tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP). Their protective role was studied in V79 cells using endpoints of cell viability (MTT and crystal violet assays), intracellular O2•– generation (dihydroethidium assay) and glutathione status (DTNB and monochlorobimane assays). MnPs per se did not show cytotoxicity (up to 25 μM, 24 h). The exposure to TBHP resulted in a significant decrease in cell viability and in an increase in the intracellular O2•– levels. Also, TBHP depleted total and reduced glutathione and increased GSSG. The two MnPs counteracted remarkably the effects of TBHP. Even at low concentrations, both MnPs were protective in terms of cell viability and abrogated the intracellular O2•– increase in a significant way. Also, they augmented markedly the total and reduced glutathione contents in TBHP-treated cells, highlighting the multiple mechanisms of protection of these SOD mimics, which at least in part may be ascribed to their electron-donating ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased expression of Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE) and Na+,K+-ATPase activity have been demonstrated in diabetic nephropathy and are implicated in the development of hypertension. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a synthetic manganese porphyrin SOD mimic and peroxynitrite scavenger, Mn(III) 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(N-methylpyridinium-2-yl)porphyrin (MnTM-2-PyP) on the expression of NHE and Na+,K+-ATPase activity in the kidneys of streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats. MnTM-2-PyP administration (1 mg/kg/day) started immediately after STZ and lasted 2 months. Glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels were measured in blood. NHE-1 and NHE-3 isoform expression, Na+,K+-ATPase activity, and markers of ROS/RNS-induced damage were determined in kidney homogenates. Diabetes caused lipid peroxidation, inactivation of aconitase, and increase of nitrotyrosine, which paralleled an increase in NHE-1 and NHE-3 expression and Na+,K+-ATPase activity. MnTM-2-PyP treatment had no effect on blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin, but suppressed lipid peroxidation and nitrotyrosine, protected aconitase against inactivation, and reversed the induction of NHE-1 and NHE-3 isoforms. Na+/H+ exchanger is under the control of redox-based cellular transcriptional activity, including members of the SP family of transcription factors. Mn(III) alkylpyridylporphyrins were previously found to inhibit activation of major transcription factors, including SP-1 via scavenging of signaling ROS/RNS. Therefore, our data suggest that, by reducing the levels of ROS/RNS, MnTM-2-PyP might interfere with signaling pathways responsible for NHE up-regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vivo investigations have confirmed the beneficial effects of hydrophilic, cationic Mn(III) porphyrin-based catalytic antioxidants in different models of oxidative stress. Using a cell culture model of rat mixed neuronal/glial cells, this study investigated the effect of MnTnOct-2-PyP5+ on oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced cell death as compared to the effects of widely studied hydrophilic analogues MnTE-2-PyP5+ and MnTDE-2-ImP5+ and a standard compound, dizocilpine (MK-801). It was hypothesized that the octylpyridylporphyrin, MnTnOct-2-PyP5+, a lipophilic but equally potent antioxidant as the other two porphyrins, would be more efficacious in reducing OGD-induced cell death due to its higher bioavailability. Cell death was evaluated at 24 h using lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and propidium iodide staining. At concentrations from 3-100 µm, all three porphyrins reduced cell death as compared to cultures exposed to OGD alone, the effects depending upon the concentrations and type of treatment. To assess the effect of lipophilicity the additional experiments were performed using submicromolar concentrations of MnTnOct-2-PyP5+ in an organotypic hippocampal slice model of OGD with propidium iodide and Sytox staining. When compared to oxygen and glucose deprivation alone, concentrations of MnTnOct-2-PyP5+ as low as 0.01 µm significantly (p<0.001; power 1.0) reduced neuronal cells similar to control. This is the first in vitro study on the mammalian cells which indicates that MnTnOct-2-PyP5+ is up to 3000-fold more efficacious than equally potent hydrophilic analogues, due entirely to its increased bioavailability. Such remarkable increase in efficacy parallels 5.7-orders of magnitude increase in lipophilicity of MnTnOct-2-PyP5+ (log P=-0.77) when compared to MnTE-2-PyP5+ (log Pow=-6.43), Pow being partition coefficient between n-octanol and water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The isocitrate dehydrogenases (ICDs) catalyse the oxidative decarboxylation of isocitrate to alpha-ketoglutarate and can use either NAD+ or NADP+ as a cofactor. Recent studies demonstrate that the NADP+-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase, as a source of electrons for cellular antioxidants, is important for protection against oxidative damage. ICD, however, is susceptible to oxidative inactivation, which in turn compromises cellular antioxidant defense. This study investigates the effect of a superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimic, MnTM-2-PyP5+, on the inactivation of NADP+-dependent ICD in SOD-deficient Escherichia coli and in diabetic rats. The findings show that E. coli ICD is inactivated by superoxide, but the inactivated enzyme is replaced by de novo protein synthesis. Statistically significant decrease of ICD activity was found in the hearts of diabetic rats. MnTM-2-PyP5+ protected ICD in both models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to determine whether administration of a catalytic antioxidant, Mn(III) tetrakis(N,N'-diethylimidazolium-2-yl) porphyrin, AEOL10150, reduces the severity of long-term lung injury induced by fractionated radiation (RT). Fisher 344 rats were randomized into five groups: RT+AEOL10150 (2.5 mg/kg BID), AEOL10150 (2.5 mg/kg BID) alone, RT+AEOL10150 (5 mg/kg BID), AEOL10150 (5 mg/kg BID) alone and RT alone. Animals received five 8 Gy fractions of RT to the right hemithorax. AEOL10150 was administered 15 min before RT and 8 h later during the period of RT treatment (5 days), followed by subcutaneous injections for 30 days, twice daily. Lung histology at 26 weeks revealed a significant decrease in lung structural damage and collagen deposition in RT+AEOL10150 (5 mg/kg BID) group, in comparison to RT alone. Immunohistochemistry studies revealed a significant reduction in tissue hypoxia (HIF1α, CAIX), angiogenic response (VEGF, CD-31), inflammation (ED-1), oxidative stress (8-OHdG, 3-nitrotyrosine) and fibrosis pathway (TGFβ1, Smad3, p-Smad2/3), in animals receiving RT+AEOL10150 (5 mg/kg BID). Administration of AEOL10150 at 5 mg/kg BID during and after RT results in a significant protective effect from long-term RT-induced lung injury. Low dose (2.5 mg/kg BID) delivery of AEOL10150 has no beneficial radioprotective effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have previously reported that isomeric Zn(II) N-methylpyridylporphyrins (ZnTM-2(3,4)-PyP4 + ) can act as photosensitizers with efficacy comparable to that of hematoporphyrin derivative (HpD) in preventing cell proliferation and causing cell death in vitro. To better understand the biochemical basis of this activity, the effects of photo-activated ZnTM-3-PyP4 + on GSH/GSSG ratio, lipid peroxidation, membrane permeability, oxidative DNA damage, and the activities of SOD, catalase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase were evaluated. Light exposure of ZnTM-3-PyP4 + -treated colon adenocarcinoma cells caused a wide spectrum of oxidative damage including depletion of GSH, inactivation of glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase, oxidative DNA damage and peroxidation of membrane lipids. Cell staining with Hoechst-33342 showed morphological changes consistent with both necrotic and apoptotic death sequences, depending upon the presence of oxygen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Normal tissue injury poses a major limitation to the success of radiation therapy (RT) in the treatment of solid tumors. We propose that radiation-induced lung injury is a result of chronic oxidative stress propagated by hypoxia-induced macrophage activation and cytokine production. Therefore, the objective of our study was two-fold. First, in vivo studies were conducted to support our hypothesis suggesting radiation injury is characterized by chronic hypoxia associated with increased macrophage infiltration/activation and pro-fibrogenic/angiogenic cytokine production. Second, we investigated the proposed mechanism of radiation injury in vitro. We demonstrate that hypoxia (0.5% O2) elicits macrophages to produce higher levels of , TGF-β, and VEGF than normoxia. Our hypothesis that is contributing to increased macrophage cytokine production was supported by a significant reduction in TGF-β and VEGF when redox signaling was minimized using a small molecular weight metalloporphyrin antioxidant, MnTE-2-PyP5+ . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The success of photodynamic therapy (PDT), as a minimally invasive approach, in treating both neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases has stimulated the search for new compounds with potential application in PDT. We have previously reported that Zn(II) N -alkylpyridylporphyrins (ZnTM-2(3,4)-PyP 4+ and ZnTE-2-PyP 4+ ) can act as photosensitizers and kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This study investigated the photosensitizing effects of the isomers of ZnTMPyP 4+ (ZnTM-2(3,4)-PyP 4+ ) and respective ligands on a human colon adenocarcinoma cell line. At 10 µM and 30 min of illumination the isomeric porphyrins completely inhibited cell growth, and at 20 µM killed approximately 50% of the cancer cells. All these effects were entirely light-dependent. The isomers of the ZnTMPyP 4+ and the respective ligands show high photosensitizing efficiency and no toxicity in the dark. Their efficacy as photosensitizers is comparable to that of hematoporphyrin derivative (HpD). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]